Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) refers to blood-clotting in the legs, particularly associated with long periods without movement. Although DVT is nicknamed "economy class syndrome", any long-haul traveller should take the risk seriously, no matter where they are seated. US President Richard Nixon famously suffered from DVT when travelling on Air Force One in 1972 — hardly budget transport!
DVT involves the formation of a blood clot (a thrombus), usually in the large veins of the legs. If these clots break free, they can lodge in the arteries of the lungs, leading to a pulmonary embolism (chest pain or breathlessness). If the clot is large, the condition may be life-threatening.
Symptoms
While some people have no symptoms, others can experience a range of symptoms from a dull ache in the affected area, to pain and severe swelling and breathing difficulties.
Risk factors for DVT
DVT is a complex disease, often with several causes, but the main factor is immobility or inactivity over a long period, such as long-haul travel. While the risk for most travellers is low, if you've had major surgery your risk is much higher. Other factors that put you at increased risk of DVT are age (being 40 years and over), obesity, pregnancy, smoking and cancer. You should also be careful if you have varicose veins, a family history of DVT and any loss of body fluids (especially through dehydration).
After the flight
For a month after the flight, keep an eye out for the symptoms of DVT, and see your doctor immediately if you think you're experiencing any symptoms.
Tips to avoid DVT
If you're travelling for longer than six hours non-stop, take the following precautions:
- Wear loose clothing during the flight, and avoid tight underwear.
- Don't sit with your legs crossed. If possible, slide your bottom and legs forward so that your thighs do not press on the edge of your seat. Use foot-rests where available, or prop your feet up on some luggage.
- Drink plenty of water and non-alcoholic drinks before and during the trip and avoid too much caffeine and alcohol during the flight.
- Try to take only short naps, unless you can get into a normal sleeping position. Some people prefer to avoid sleeping tablets on long flights.
- Those at higher risk of DVT can wear flight-socks, which are special graduated-compression stockings or socks designed for travel. A recent medical review showed that these stockings reduce the odds of developing DVT by 90 percent.
- When you can, take a walk around the cabin.
- Sitting in your seat, flex and stretch your feet, massage your legs, and do some gentle in-flight exercises throughout the flight, every half-hour or so.
Low-dose aspirin has been suggested before flying to protect against DVT. However, aspirin has little effect on veins as most of its effect is on the arteries. Take aspirin for DVT only with medical advice — talk to your doctor.
Home